Approximately how many council meetings, study sessions or other Kirksville government meetings have you attended in the last 12 months, and how would you describe your level of engagement with city government happenings?

Twenty four study sessions and twenty four city council meetings are scheduled yearly the first and third Mondays of the month. Additionally, depending on necessity, three or more council meetings are called where votes are cast. I have missed two meetings in the past five years.

Once or twice monthly the city council designates meeting times with local groups such as the KV R-III Board, County Commissioners, TSU or ATSU, to name a few. Often meetings of this type may also include visits to the Waste Water Treatment Plant, Kraft Foods or the Humane Society.

Kirksville City Council anually holds a one day retreat with focus on goal setting for the year. A couple consecutive evenings per year are set aside to finalize the city's budget after much discussion throughout the year.

I am a member of K-REDI, Kirksville Regional Economic Development and the Airport and Transportation Comission. These groups meet monthy and additionally if needed. Usually I attend four or so events representing Kirksville outside the city which have recently included Kirksville Day at the Capitol, and Regional MODOT meetings in Macon and Hannibal.

Luckily I am able to devote much time to these endeavors and consider my level of engagement to be high.

However, it doesn't stop with formal involvement. Talking to people at Walmart, Hy-Vee or local restaurants gives me a true opportunity to get a real feel about what is on the minds of the people I work very hard to represent. People are very appreciatitive of my efforts and it is satisfying. I want to continue my work on the Kirksville City Council.

The council has recently undertaken efforts to cut costs at North Park, the Aquatic Center and the police department's patrols of Forest Lake. How do you feel about these moves and how would you describe your philosophy on the city budget?

I feel the single most important undertaking for the city council is preparing a yearly budget. Reviewing and revising of a yearly budget is an ongoing process.

Typically, as we all know, there are always more ways to spend money than there is money to be spent. Sometimes we have to repriortize budget needs within the confines of the money we have to allocate, such as the examples referred to in question two.

I believe the city should always strive to adopt and maintain a balanced budget. Unfortunately, unexpected expences force us to make cuts in other areas of the budget. Understanding and compromise are a huge part of this process, as we try to be fair.

Another very important part of my budget philosophy is to always remember where the city's money to spend comes from. I know people work very hard for the that funds the city uses to support our budget. The city council and myself strive to earn taxpayer's trust by spending every single dollar wisely.

Kirksville is extremely lucky to employ staff very competent in bugeting and through their expert guidance the Kirksville City Council makes financially sound decisions.

What is your opinion on the discussion regarding downtown design guidelines or ordinance?

We have seen a slow but steady withdrawl of business from the downtown area in the past several years. Some of those businesses have successfully relocated to Baltimore Street while others have closed, unable to keep up with ever changing social trends. Small towns everywhere are fighting to keep their downtowns alive.

We like our Downtown Courthouse Square and want it to be a vibrant busy area where one can come to shop and enjoy a relaxing lunch with friends. Not as many people are doing that though. The city has done several surveys to find out why and inquiring as to what people would like to see. The City also met with a Professional Redevelopment Company to get their opinion on what would spark regrowth. Their reccomendation was to adopt an "old town" feel based on what we had to work with and what has succeeded in other towns. A key part of this is Design Guidelines to be used when changing building facades helping to achieve a cohesive "Old Town" feel. It has been difficult for business owners and building owners to agree on how to do this.

These guidelines help facilitate the goal of achieving a revitalized downtown. I am very pleased to see progress. The city must continue in this direction with the goal of helping the KDIC with all their hard work as downtown regrowth is both a necessary an achievable goal.

What issue or issues do you believe the city council must focus on and what specific actions do you believe should be taken to accomplish them?

The number one issue that I feel the city council must focus on is job creation. The city's budget includes $100,000. for K-REDI, Kirksville Regional Economic Development. This money is essential for them to aggressively seek new businesses for our city. Carolyn Christman, K-REDI's Director of Job Creation, and the group as a whole network tirelessly promoting Kirksville's amenities and opportunities. Competetion is fierce nationwide and extensive travel and a relentless attitude are necessary to attract the attention of a potential new business where Kirksville meets a company's criteria for locating here.

Creating jobs and increasing tax revenues go hand and hand. The city must continue supporting K-REDI in everyway possible so we can position ourselves for success.